Iguazu has to be the most boring mate in the world. Or let’s say the safest mate in the world. And this is no exaggeration.

This will be my 60th yerba mate review and it’s going to be as plain jane as it can come.

Don’t get me wrong though, it doesn’t taste bad. But I also don’t taste much.

Iguazu isn’t a well-known brand despite coming from the land of yerba mate that is Misiones. This mate is unsmoked, naturally aged, and clearly named after the world’s largest waterfall, Iguazu Falls, with a picture of it on the front of the bag.

Iguazu is produced by a small cooperative so it might be hard to get your hands on.

But let’s see if it’s worth grabbing in the first place…

Nose

After opening the bag and taking a whiff, this mate gave me high hopes. Iguazu releases a dark and rich aroma filled with notes of fresh-baked bread, cocoa powder, and a kick of cinnamon – not something you often get in the bouquet of a mate but promising nonetheless.

Taste

Hate to say it but drinking Iguazu was an underwhelming experience. This mate has below-average strength and little to no character. It’s almost like dunking two or three tea bags in hot water and calling it a day. And there are those days that call for something light, but if you want strong flavors, this won’t be it.

Iguazu opens up with a dominant earthy, soil taste that seems to be unique only to organic, unsmoked brands. It’s not the same earthiness you get with popular smoked brands. But if you’ve tried brands like Kraus, La Oberena and Anna Park, you’ll know what I’m talking about. Alongside this, Iguazu also starts showing light notes of cooking herbs like oregano and thyme. A soft woody flavor is also lingering behind each sip with a slight sourness. Very straightforward and unwavering, this mate doesn’t give your palate much play. From start to finish, it tastes the exact same. Not much complexity going on.

I found this mate tastes about the same at any water temperature. The only change in the yerba is its strength so depending on your preference, adjust the temperature to your liking.

Finish

On the finish, Iguazu drags on its woodiness from before and at times also conjures up a nutty cashew taste. However, when you get past the halfway point, there’s nothing to taste except a stubborn bitterness.

Body/Texture

Iguazu is a light-to-medium-bodied mate. The first initial gourdfuls have a slightly chalky texture with a strong tartness. A lot of fine dust particles pass through the bombilla too, giving it a grainy/sandy feel as well. However, as you keep drinking, it quickly weakens into a watery brew with no character. As far as astringency, it’s about average – not too little, not too much. For me, it’s tolerable but it can build up over time.

Cut

Iguazu features an Argentine cut with a nice balance of all three components. A fluffy pile of medium-sized leaves with shades of greens, yellows, and browns, lay atop a bed of pulverized stems and leaves. Palos are mostly white and range from long and short, and thick and thin. Dust is slightly above average with plumes of powder floating in the air when pouring yerba into the gourd, and a thick imprint on your palm when preparing the mate.

Despite the abundance of small particles, it poses no issues with filtration. Small bits may come through the bombilla but gradually goes away with each sip.

Cycle

Iguazu surprisingly has a medium cycle and the strength of an ox. This yerba never lets up no matter how many refills you give it which I can appreciate. One medium-sized gourd can easily last 3/4 of a liter and the flavor doesn’t noticeably weaken until the final 3-5 pours.

Effect

When it comes to effect, you can expect the usual with this yerba.

Iguazu produces a slow and steady climb in stimulation and focus. The effect is sneaky and creeps up on you without notice. Gourd after gourd, I begin to feel my mind clearing and a strong sensation around my eyes and forehead as if the yerba is forcing me to pay attention to what I’m doing. It also gives a nice floaty-head feeling that makes you feel light and empty. And it’s this emptiness that allows me to stay focused instead of distracted. This mate is perfect for light activities like reading and writing as this never gets me too stimulated or overly anxious.

However, I would still recommend this only for the mornings. It’s strong enough to keep you alert and awake.

Iguazu Yerba Mate Review

Iguazu is nowhere near a special mate, but there’s something to be found in its simplicity.

In the beginning, I didn’t care for this mate. However, the more I kept drinking it, the more it started to grow on me. It felt like getting used to the taste of mate for the first time all over again.

Would I buy another bag? Probably not. The lack of complexity and dull taste just doesn’t do it for me.

But if this was the only thing I could drink, I wouldn’t mind it.

A soft, typical flavor profile with an average cycle and effect, Iguazu would be a mate I’d only recommend for beginners. For someone who’s tried many brands already and is looking for something unique, you’re better off elsewhere.

So if you think you’ll enjoy a mate like Iguazu, visit one of the links below now to grab a bag!

PampaDirect (Worldwide)
Click Here To Get A 500g / 1lb Bag

P.S. If you enjoyed this review, you might want to check out our store for some awesome gourds and bombillas (free shipping on all orders!)